The Court will hear the criminal defamation case of MM J Akbar on Thursday

NEW DELHI: Mr. J Akbar's complaint of defamation of journalist Priya Ramani, who accuses him of sexual misconduct about 20 years ago, is to be heard Thursday in the court of Patiala House.

Akbar on Wednesday presented his resignation as Minister of State for External Affairs.

His lawyer, Sandeep Kapur, of the law firm Karanjawala & Co, said the private criminal defamation case will be heard Thursday before the new metropolitan magistrate Samar Vishal.

The lawyer also sent Akbar's brief letter of resignation, associated with several media before.

"Since I decided to seek justice in a personal court, I consider it appropriate to leave my office and challenge the false charges against me, also in a personal capacity. I have resigned my position as Minister of State for External Affairs

Business. I am deeply grateful to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Foreign Minister Smt Sushma Swaraj for the opportunity they offered me to serve my country, "said Akbar in his letter.

Kapur said that as this is a problem, the law will take its course.

"Since we have already filed the case for defamation, we will sue in court," he said.

Akbar filed a defamation suit against Ramani on Monday alleging that she "deliberately" and "maliciously" made accusations against her with the ultimate aim of tarnishing her reputation and political status.